HAVERHILL — Two men were arrested after allegedly scamming a Haverhill couple out of a large sum of money through a phone scheme where they falsely claimed their daughter had been seriously injured in a car accident and was subsequently jailed.
According to a press release issued by Haverhill Police Captain Meaghan Paré on July 11, the Haverhill Police Department, working with Massachusetts and Connecticut State Police, tracked down and arrested the suspects after the couple reported the suspicious activity, which took place on July 9, 2025.
The suspects—identified as 30-year-old Harold Perez of San Juan, Puerto Rico, and 33-year-old Victor Irving Francisco Bonilla of Bridgeport, Connecticut—allegedly posed as law enforcement and legal officials. Police say the two claimed the couple’s daughter had been in a serious car accident and needed a large cash payment to be released from jail. The cash was reportedly picked up using a rideshare service arranged by the suspects.
After handing over the money, the couple received a second call requesting additional funds, which raised their suspicions. They contacted the Haverhill Police Department, who quickly launched an investigation.
Detectives from the Haverhill Police Department, in close coordination with the Massachusetts and Connecticut State Police, set up surveillance, tracked the rideshare vehicle used to collect the cash, and located the suspects in Connecticut. Connecticut State Police took them into custody without incident. During the arrest, police recovered what they believe are the funds that were originally taken from the victims.
Perez and Bonilla were arrested in Connecticut, and were charged with: False Pretenses/Swindle/Confidence Game and All other Larceny. In Haverhill, they were charged with: two counts of Extortion by Threat of Injury, Larceny Over $1,200 by a Single Scheme, Attempt to Commit a Crime, and Conspiracy. They are being held pending extradition and arraignment in Haverhill District Court.
“This scam was calculated and heartless, designed to exploit the fear and love parents feel for their children,” Paré stated. “Thanks to the courage of the victims and outstanding interagency cooperation, we were able to stop these scammers from targeting more families.”
Police are urging residents to be cautious of any phone calls requesting urgent payments for legal or bail-related matters. “Law enforcement will never ask for cash over the phone or dispatch rideshare drivers to collect funds,” Paré said.
Anyone with additional information is asked to contact Detective Angus at (978) 373-1212 ext. 1552.